J 18 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



that very great Trout the rod that is, by casting it to him into 

 the water I might have caught him at the long run ; for so I 

 use always to do when I meet with an overgrown fish ; and you 

 will learn to do so too hereafter ; for I tell you, scholar, fishing 

 is an art, or, at least, it is an art to catch fish. 



Venator. But, master, I have heard that the great Trout you 

 speak of is a Salmon. 



Piscator. Trust me, scholar, I know not what to say to it. 

 There are many country people that believe hares change sexes 

 every year : and there be very many learned men that think so 

 too, for in their dissecting them they find many reasons to incline 

 them to that belief. And to make the wonder seem yet less, 

 that hares change sexes, note, that Dr Mer. Casaubon affirms, 

 in his book Of Credible and Incredible Things, that Gasper 

 Peucerus, a learned physician, tells us of a people that once 

 a-year turn wolves, partly in shape and partly in conditions.* 

 And so, whether this were a Salmon when he came into fresh 

 water, and his not returning into the sea hath altered him to 

 another colour or kind, I am not able to say ; but I am certain 

 he hath all the signs of being a Trout, both for his shape, colour, 

 and spots : and yet many think he is not. 



Venator. But, master, will this Trout which I had hold of 

 die ? for it is like he hath the hook in his belly. 



Piscator. I will tell you, scholar, that unless the hook be 

 fast in his very gorge, 'tis more than probable he Avill live, and 

 a little time, with the help of the water, will rust the hook, 

 and it will in time wear away, as the gravel doth in the horse- 

 hoof, which only leaves a false quarter. 



And now, scholar, let's go to my rod. Look you, scholar, 

 I have a fish too, but it proves a logger-headed Chub ; and this 

 is not much amiss, for this will pleasure some poor body, as we 

 go to our lodging to meet our brother Peter and honest Coridon. 

 Come, now, bait your hook again, and lay it into the water, for 

 it rains again ; and we will even retire to the sycamore tree, and 

 there I will give you more directions concerning fishing, for I 

 would fain make you an artist. 



Venator. Yes, good master, I pray let it be so. 



Piscator. Well, scholar, now we are sat down and are at 

 ease, I shall tell you a little more of Trout fishing, before I 

 speak of the Salmon, (which I purpose shall be next,) and then 

 of the Pike, or Luce. 



You are to know, there is night as well as day fishing for a 

 Trout ; and that, in the night, the best Trouts come out of 



* These stories, I need scarcely say, are altogether fabulous, though, 

 like most other fancies, they might be shewn to arise from some facts 

 perverted. J. R. 



